<html>
<head>
<title>A Simple Class Definition</title>
</head>
<body>
<table width=100%>
<tr>
<td align=left>
<a href="index.html"><img src=../../images/PreviousArrow.gif width=26 height=26 align=bottom border=0 alt="Previous | "></a><a
href="main.html"><img src=../../images/NextArrow.gif width=26 height=26 align=bottom border=0 alt="Next | "></a><a
href="../../index.html"><img src=../../images/WayUpArrow.gif width=26 height=26 align=bottom border=0 alt="Trail Map | "></a><a
href="../index.html"><img src=../../images/javaHeader.gif width=26 height=26 align=bottom border=0 alt="Writing Java Programs | "></a>
<td>
<td align=right>
<a href="index.html"><strong><em>The Nuts and Bolts of the Java Language</em></strong></a>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
<p>
<hr size=4>

<h2>
    A Simple Class Definition
</h2>
<p>
<blockquote>

<blockquote>
<pre>
<strong>class Count {</strong>
    public static void main(String args[])
        throws java.io.IOException
    {
        int count = 0;

        while (System.in.read() != -1)
            count++;
        System.out.println("Input has " + count + " chars.");
    }
<strong>}</strong>
</pre>
</blockquote>

In the Java language, all methods and variables must exist within a class.
So, the first line of the character-counting application defines a class,
<code>Count</code>, that defines the methods, variables, and any other classes
needed to implement the character-counting application. Since this program
is such a simple one, the Count class just defines one method named <code>main()</code>.
<p>
<a href=../anatomy/classdef.html>Defining a Class</a>
<a href=../anatomy/classdef.html><img src=../../images/javaIcon.gif width=20 height=20 border=0></a>
in <em>The Anatomy of a Java Application</em> contains a more thorough discussion
about defining a class.

</blockquote>
<p>
<hr size=4>
<p>
<table width=100%>
<tr>
<td align=left>
<a href="index.html"><img src=../../images/PreviousArrow.gif width=26 height=26 align=top border=0 alt="Previous | "></a><a
href="main.html"><img src=../../images/NextArrow.gif width=26 height=26 align=top border=0 alt="Next | "></a><a
href="../../index.html"><img src=../../images/WayUpArrow.gif width=26 height=26 align=top border=0 alt="Trail Map | "></a><a
href="../index.html"><img src=../../images/javaHeader.gif width=26 height=26 align=top border=0 alt="Writing Java Programs | "></a>
<td>
<td align=right>
<a href="index.html"><strong><em>The Nuts and Bolts of the Java Language</em></strong></a>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
</body>
</html>
